100 songs, albums, videos submitted for review
Revolta, single by Natalia Pery. Perry is emerging into her career, but has put out a killer song with influences from música caipira to samba, with the same passion as her earlier releases “Xote Carinhoso” and “Molha.” It’s Brazilian singer-songwriter style, with the life and movement of samba beneath the emotion of her vocals. The effect is mesmerizing – you will want to put this on while you work or play. Portuguese. Stream on Spotify and major platforms.
Rock “n” Roll, single by BINX. Soft, hypnotic rock and roll. Sounds like a contradiction in terms, but it works very well. BINX, the South African singer/songwriter/producer with a raft of movie and TV music to her name, has created something both slick and raw. It is an earworm and a dance song and just plain fun. Stream on Spotify and other major platforms.
Love Bug single by Banda AL9. 1960’s rock and roll from São Paulo, Brazil, in English. This would fit perfectly in your grandparents’ Dick Clark TV show with twirling poodle skirts and blue suede shoes…except for the Beatles references, including “Here, There and Everywhere,” “Do You Want to Know a Secret.” The band is having so much fun you can hear the grins in their lyrics, and you will too (have fun, and probably grin). Not a radical restyling of the 60’s, but more of a tongue-in-cheek song just to laugh and dance with. Stream on major platforms.
El Beso, single…Lila Downs. Of course, the Mexican-American-Mixtec singer/songwriter is renowned throughout both countries for her music and for her activism, and this follows that tradition. “” El Beso” is an elegant and intimate track from her recent album Cambias Mi Mundo that balances tradition and modernity by honoring classic Mexican and Cuban-influenced salon music but not retreating into nostalgia. The result is a love song that blends bolero with danzón, Latin jazz, and cumbia. For me, it’s a headphone song. It is danceable, of course, but it is easy just to immerse yourself in it, following her voice, moving with the trumpets, and tapping your fingers to the soft percussion. Spanish. Stream everywhere.
Mientira, single by Yendry. Released only 2 weeks ago, “Mientira” (Lie in English) is the latest from Yendry, a Dominican-Italian singer-songwriter who blends Latin beats and sounds with contemporary pop and R&B – which is exactly what “Mientira” is, and happily so. In fact, it is a blend – not a mashup – of bachata, love song, and hip-hop. Dance to it or just put on your headphones and rock out; to me it’s a winner. Spanish. Stream everywhere.
Mama, single by Zemmoa and Vivir Quintana. Call me maudlin, but this song strikes home with me, although it’s about the reconciliation of a broken mother-daughter relationship. The combination of these two singers -Zemmoa, a trans pop/electronic performer, and Quintana, a protest music singer-songwriter – is remarkable. Together they pierce your heart with the pain and joy of turning a deeply personal family wound into a gesture of tenderness and repair. Whether or not you understand the Spanish, you know what it is about from the title – mother – and this duet puts a lump in your throat and family memories in your head. A beautiful combination of voices for a beautiful song that may bring tears. Spanish. Stream on all major platforms.
BONUS. Ave Trujillo by Freddy Trujillo. East LA meets storytelling, folk, and rock. Great music, great stories
Patrik O’Heffernan
Banner: Lila Downs
